What is Scale Up Milwaukee

Scale Up Milwaukee, an initiative of the Greater Milwaukee Committee supported by WEDC, is helping to create a growth-driven and growth-obsessed region. Using Daniel Isenberg’s proven model for fostering entrepreneurship, Scale Up Milwaukee convenes a diverse group of stakeholders (private sector leaders, public officials, investors, entrepreneurs, university faculty and local economic development support groups) to develop actionable strategies for high-growth, high-impact entrepreneurship in the region. Scale Up Milwaukee helps to foster an entrepreneurship ecosystem that leads to significant growth events. Scale Up Milwaukee is advancing inclusive economic prosperity using entrepreneurial growth as a catalyst for economic development.

VISION

Nearly 150 years ago, Milwaukee was nationally recognized for a unique brand of entrepreneurial company defined by high-velocity growth.

Today, the region’s post-industrial economy is defined by a diverse range of growing companies led by ambitious leaders who already have a proven, exportable product and which create a long-lasting local economic impact.

Scale Up Milwaukee demonstrates that, when nurtured, our regional assets can be galvanized to recapture the region’s economic vigor and realize the growth potential of Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial companies, positively impacting job growth, the tax base, personal wealth and quality of life. Scale Up Milwaukee aims to facilitate 200 high-growth companies in the region by 2020 with an additional $1 billion in revenue.

STRATEGY

By working directly with ambitious entrepreneurs, Scale Up Milwaukee helps companies grow and accelerates the environment that makes growth a core, self-sustaining part of the fabric of Milwaukee, with all the social and economic benefits that accompany it.

Using Babson professor Daniel Isenberg’s proven model for promoting entrepreneurship, Scale Up Milwaukee convenes a diverse group of stakeholders, including private sector leaders, public officials, investors, entrepreneurs, university faculty and local economic development support groups, to develop actionable strategies for high-growth, high-impact entrepreneurship in the region.